Clive sticks it to PM over Australia Post privatisation

CLIVE Palmer says it has become increasingly obvious the Abbott government plans to privatise Australia Post, delivering a cruel blow to an already suffering Australian bush.

With the Commission of Audit preparing to present recommendations for spending cuts to the Abbott government, the Fairfax MP and Palmer United Party leader said he would be very surprised if there was no mention of the sale of Australia Post in its report.

"It's what our major political parties do in this country when they can't balance the books, sell off our precious public assets,'' Mr Palmer said.

"It has been reported that Abbott's Commission of Audit, responsible for identifying opportunities to reduce spending and offload public assets, has recently met with Australia Post which you would have to say is a very worrying sign.

"Sadly, it is the already-suffering people in rural Australia who would fare the worst under the privatisation of Australia Post, one of the country's oldest and most respected institutions and part of the fabric of our bush communities."

Mr Palmer said the recent announcement by Australia Post that it planned to increase the price of postage stamps from 60c to 70c was an orchestrated move to increase its bottom line before it privatises.

"The writing is on the wall,'' Mr Palmer said.

"Government institutions such as Australia Post should be about people, not profits.

"The Palmer United Party will fight to keep public assets in the hands of all Australians, not sold off to the highest bidder as a short-term economic fix."